Art Nouveau architecture

Eclectically Decorative Art Nouvea
The exaggeration of decorative ornamentation on facades irrespective of the building’s dimensional shape is a typical characteristic of Art Nouveau. There are some buildings whose basic architectonical composition - regular rhythms with a saturation of surface decorations - does not differ from 20th century Eclecticism. New to the era are only ornamental motifs - tensely articulated lines, geometric figures or stylized ornaments depicting plants, and masks, and extended proportions etc. This Eclectically Decorative trend appeared in the early stages of Art Nouveau development, and there are not many examples of this in Riga. The most characteristic examples are buildings on and near Alberta Street designed by M. Eizenšteins, and several buildings designed by H. Šēls, F. Šefels, R. Cirkvics. J. Alksnis and other architects.

Perpendicular Art Nouveau
This is one of the most characteristic formal trends of Riga Art Nouveau architecture. It spread after 1906 when romantic stylized motifs slowly disappeared from building facades. A building’s artistic image is shaped by the emphasis of vertical elements in the fa?ade. This includes strongly articulated bay windows and reliefs, and outwardly projecting strips that extend upward for several floors. Ornamental decorations are introduced in the spaces between floors and are completely integrated into the basic architectural forms of the fasade, simultaneously emphasizing the verticality of composition. More than a third of Riga’s richly varied legacy of Art Nouveau buildings exhibit the Perpendicular Art Nouveau style. In some locations these buildings totally dominate and define their surrounding urban environment (Brivibas Street, Ģertrudes Street, Aleksandra Čaka Street etc.). Most often it is represented by the works of such architects as J. Alksnis, E. Laube, B. Bīlenšteins, O. Bārs, P. Mandelštams etc.